The Toronto Raptors look to build off their second consecutive 50-win season by keeping Kyle Lowry and their core intact.
The Toronto Raptors finished last season with a 51-31 record, the second time in franchise history they recorded 50-plus wins. A big part of that success, Kyle Lowry, was testing the waters in free agency this summer.
Lowry joined the Raptors during the summer of 2012. He was traded from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Gary Forbes and a 2013 first round pick.
This has turned out to be a steal for Toronto as the six-foot point guard overcame a slow start before finding his groove up north. Coming off his third straight All-Star selection, he’s playing the best basketball of his career. He averaged career highs in points, rebounds and three-point percentage last season.
His outside shot is probably the most impressive part of his game. He’s always shot a good percentage from behind the arc, but he has taken that to new levels the past couple of years. Last year, he averaged 7.8 three-point attempts per game and made them at a 41.2 percent clip. That’s stunning given the volume of attempts.
Before re-signing, Lowry was linked to multiple teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, as potential destinations outside of Canada.
He ultimately agreed to return on a three-year, $100 million deal, per Basketball Insiders‘ Michael Scotto.
Source: Kyle Lowry and Toronto Raptors have agreed to a 3-year, $100 million deal.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 2, 2017
With an average of around $33 million a season, that’s what we call a payday.
The three years is probably best for Toronto as it will only carry into Lowry’s age 34 season. At that point, his play is sure to have declined and the Raptors can walk away without any further harm.
Keeping this Raptors roster intact was their No. 1 goal going into the offseason. They had a couple of intriguing unrestricted free agents and were able to keep most of them. They also agreed to re-sign Serge Ibaka but will lose P.J. Tucker to the Rockets.
Lowry has shown to be a later bloomer, not really hitting his stride until his second season in Toronto. There’s a slight chance he might continue to improve his game. However, I wouldn’t count on it.
Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far
This is definitely a contract where the Villanova product is getting paid for what he’s already accomplished, not for what he will accomplish throughout the life of the deal. Fortunately for the Raps, Lowry has a lot left in the tank and is a huge piece to their puzzle. If he can stay healthy in next year’s playoffs, they should be able to make a bigger mark in the Eastern Conference.